A nine-foot iron segment from the Eiffel Tower's original spiral staircase sold at auction in France on Thursday [1, 3, 4].
The sale highlights the enduring global fascination with the landmark's industrial history and the high market value of authentic 19th-century architectural artifacts.
The piece, which consists of 14 steps [1], was sold by the auction house Artcurial [3, 4]. The final price reached nearly $500,000 [1], with other reports placing the value at over 450,000 euros [2].
Measuring nine feet tall [3] and 5.7 feet in diameter [4], the segment is a remnant of the tower's initial 1889 construction [1, 2]. This specific section of the spiral staircase was removed from the structure during renovations in the 1980s to make room for the installation of elevators [1, 2].
Because the segment was part of the original design, it represents the early engineering phase of the tower before modern accessibility updates changed the interior layout. The ironwork has remained a sought-after collectible for historians, and private investors since its removal decades ago.
The auction occurred on May 21, 2026 [1, 3, 4]. While some reports indicated the sale was scheduled for that date, other sources said the transaction was completed on the day of the broadcast [1].
“A nine-foot iron segment from the Eiffel Tower's original spiral staircase sold at auction”
The high sale price reflects the scarcity of original structural components from the Eiffel Tower. As the tower undergoes continuous modernization, original pieces from the 1889 build transition from architectural waste to high-value historical assets, creating a niche market for industrial antiquities.
